Shop

R.I.P. Jan C. Gabriel, Mr. "Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!" [w/video]

"SUNDAY! SUNDAY!SUNDAY!" The intonation inextricably linked to weekend motorsports events and monster truck rallies is seared into our childhood memories, and last Sunday its originator, Jan C. Gabriel (1940 - 2010), passed away at the age of 69 after battling kidney disease.
Gabriel came up with the signature turn of phrase while auditioning to do the voiceover work for commercials advertising the U.S. 30 dragstrip in Indiana. A delay feature built into his tape recorder allowed Mr. Gabriel to pull off the unique repeat effect, and the rest, as they say, is history. He would go on to record fresh spots every week throughout the 1980s for events at U.S. 30 and other tracks around the country, bringing the "Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!" line national.

Mr. Gabriel also produced and hosted the motorsports-themed television show, "Super Chargers," and his production company helped popularize monster trucks by pushing them into into the spotlight during the '80s. Jan Gabriel is survived by his wife, Theresa, and daughter, Amanda. Follow the jump for video of one of the old U.S. 30 television featuring his famous tagline.

Reported comments and users are reviewed by Autoblog staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week to determine whether they violate Community Guideline. Accounts are penalized for Community Guidelines violations and serious or repeated violations can lead to account termination.

Anonymous

Anonymous

5 Years Ago

Now I know that there could be plenty of "who cares?" and "good riddance" comments, but I'd like to remind you all that this guy's life serves as a reminder of the kind of impact we all can have. "Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!" may not seem like much, but this man created a national institution and he did it simply by living his life and doing his job. I think that's pretty cool.

Anonymous

Anonymous

5 Years Ago

Hey Alex, you should post more often! I never watched Knight Rider, but I loved reading your hilarious Liveblog. Your others posts as well, even if they were about hotdog mobiles penetrating homes. Ok, especially if they were about hotdog mobiles penetrating homes. Hope to read more from you, cheers!

Anonymous

Anonymous

Anonymous

5 Years Ago

Living in the Chicago suburbs as a teenager during the mid to late 60s, I can remember hearing his "Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!" intonations on AM radio throughout each year's drag racing season and also on TV if I remember correctly.